A Caregiver’s Guide to For Home-care

These are several guidelines to keep in mind when performing home-care services:

• Use of idle time after completion of all possible nursing care (including the upkeep and maintenance of the patient environment) may be devoted with the client approval to reading or other quiet activity.
• Do not smoke in the patient’s home.
• Always bring your lunch to a job unless the patient specifically requests that you eat his or her food.
• There is a no tolerance policy towards consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drug use at any time while you are on the job or before the shift begins.
• You should take no medication that interferes with your performance on the job.
• Light housework is always an important part of the job for a home-care employee. Please look for things to do for the patient rather than waiting to be asked. Patients appreciate your willingness to help.
• Helping the patient with his or her needs may also include doing some laundry, but only for the patient.
• It may not be necessary to sit in the room when your patient has a guest. People need privacy and when your patient needs attention, the guest will alert you.
• Please do not wear perfume or cologne on the job. Certain fragrances are offensive to people who are ill.
• Never cut the patient’s fingernails or toenails, you may file them.
• DO NOT LEAVE THE PATIENT ALONE (unless a guest is present). If you have an emergency and must leave, please call the office and we will relieve you.
• Please do not accept gifts from your patient. This is for your protection as well as ours.
• Do not make personal phone calls from the patient’s home unless it is an emergency.
• You are not permitted to bring a personal friend or family member to your assigned case.
• You may not do the patient’s banking.
• Check with your Care Coordinator before driving the patient anywhere.
• Always keep in mind that you are a guest in your patient’s home. You are never to make yourself at home, or forget the purpose of your visit.